World and nation briefs

August 28, 2013 12:01 AM

August 28, 2013 12:01 AM

Raids net 12 arrests for dogfighting, gambling

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- An investigation into organized dogfighting and gambling in the Southeast resulted in 12 arrests and the seizure of 367 pit bulls in one of the nation's largest crackdowns on the bloody exhibitions.

Federal, state and local officials announced the arrests Monday. They stemmed from raids Friday on homes in Alabama and Georgia and the seizure of more than $500,000 in cash that investigators believe was tied to illegal gambling on dogfights.

The defendants are charged with conspiring to promote and sponsor dogfights and arranging for dogs to be at the fights in several south and east Alabama counties and in Holly Springs, Miss., between 2009 and 2013.

Ontario to allow all police to use stun guns

TORONTO -- A provincial official said all front-line police officers in Ontario will be allowed to carry stun guns after the fatal shooting by police of a Toronto teenager in July.

Community Safety Minister Madeleine Meilleur said Tuesday it will be up to local police forces to decide whether to equip their officers with the weapons. Only supervising and specialized officers are currently allowed to carry stun guns.

The change comes after police shot 18-year-old Sammy Yatim multiple times before using a stun gun on him during a confrontation. Yatim died of his wounds.

The Special Investigations Unit has charged Toronto officer James Forcillo with second-degree murder.

Megachurch linked to 21 measles cases

DALLAS -- A Texas megachurch linked to at least 21 cases of measles has been trying to contain the outbreak by hosting vaccination clinics, officials said.

The outbreak started when a person who contracted measles overseas visited Eagle Mountain International Church in Newark, about 20 miles north of Fort Worth, Texas. Health department officials said those sickened ranged in age from 4 months to 44 years old. All of the school-age children with measles were home-schooled.

Sixteen of the 21 people infected had not been vaccinated.

Ali awards to honor humanitarian efforts

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Boxing great Muhammad Ali wants to recognize the greatness of people waging their own fights for social justice.

The former three-time heavyweight champion plans to be in his hometown of Louisville for the presentation of the first-ever Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards on Oct. 3.

The award winners were not immediately identified but include people who have fought for gender equity in Afghanistan, started a school for orphaned children in Uganda and provided shoes for the homeless in the U.S., the Muhammad Ali Center said Tuesday.

The awards revolve around core principles espoused by Ali, with an emphasis on the humanitarian works of young adults, the center said.